What’s In The Barn?

What’s In The Barn?

There’s a story been doing the rounds recently (by email and on the internet) about a New York man who made an amazing discovery in a barn at the property he bought in Portugal. Not seen it? Here’s how it goes...(make sure you read to the bottom).

A recently retired New York man wanted to use his retirement funds wisely so decided to buy a home and a few acres in Portugal. The modest farmhouse had been vacant for 15 years; the owner and wife both had died, and there were no heirs. The estate was being sold to pay back taxes. There had been several lookers, but the large barn had steel doors, and they had been welded shut. No one wanted to go to the extra expense to see what was in the barn, and it wasn’t complimentary to the property anyway... so, no one made an offer on the place.

The New York gentleman bought it as is, paying just over half of the property’s worth; he moved in and set about to access the barn...curiosity was killing him. So, he and his wife bought a generator and a couple of grinders...and cut through the welds.

What was in the barn...?

Amazing? Total value of all vehicles...over $35 Million! The man and his wife had full title to the complete lot of vehicles. They’re having a great retirement!

Nice story, and just the kind of unexpected discovery we all like to here about, especially us cash-strapped guys here at DA. But, is it true? Unfortunately not. The pictures are real...the collection of cars was indeed stored in the barn. But the "fortunate discovery" scenario is completely fictitious. Tom Cotter of Sports Car Market magazine, like many of us, found the story too amazing to be true so decided to investigate.

The truth is that the owner of the barn and the cars was a car dealer in the 1970s and 80s. He collected the cars over the years and once the barn was full he sealed it shut. However, he recently contracted a photographer to document the collection and somehow the story, and photos, made the web and developed a life of their own.

So, not quite such an amazing story. Still, an amazing collection though.